Monday, August 8, 2011

King Oskar the Great of Vandenburg-Brussia had not been idle since his defeat of Vorlund the previous year, he had rebuilt his cavalry introducing new drill to make them the match for Vorlunds cuirassiers and dragoons.

He had watched the Reichsarmee defeat his Ikeonian allies at the battle of Grosser-Feuerbach then chase them into Stralsund. He saw the Huhnerlanders move to join the forces of the Western Circle at the Emperors behest, Stalsund surrounded, the siege began, the Huhnerlanders sent their cavalry to join the Erbprinz Rupert who watched the Vandenburg border with the Reichsarmee.

Then in the final weeks of Autumn he acted, a two pronged assault into the Reich, he led the main force to relieve the Ikeaonians, he sent General Keith commanding a second force to seize Alt-Braunbar and protect his flank against attack.

Erbprinz Rupert was waiting with his battered forces, he knew he could not stop the Vandenburg main army but perhaps he could sting them. He chose to stand near the town of Nieder-Wahldorf a long ridge stood behind the town upon which he drew up his forces. If he could hold until nightfall then it would give the Huhnerlanders time to prepare.

This was the army that had fought at Grosser Feuerbach with reinforcements from the Elector of Huhnerlund. The Erbprinz occupied the heights behind Nieder-Wahldorf and awaited the Vandenburg assault.

Vandenburgers starting position (King Oskar looks on)

Army of ObservationCommander King Oskar the Great
3 Brigades of Grenadiers
5 Brigades of Musketeers
1 Brigade of Fusiliers4 Brigades of Cuirassiers2 Brigades of Dragoons
1 Brigade of Hussars
2 Heavy gun batteries

King Oskars army arrived mid morning and shook themselves out into a line of battle and rapidly moved forward. The Erbprinz had heard how the infantry of Vandenburg moved like horsemen but had scoffed at the reports, he saw now he was wrong. Indeed he turned to his aide and said "They move not like men but Automaton."

Vandenburg attack upon Nieder-Wahldorf

King Oskar had chosen a conventional attack, a cavalry force on each wing with his infantry in the centre. The Erbprinz had placed the Huhnerlund cavalry on his left, the infantry of Witzboldfeld and Alt-Braunbar formed the front line with the Pappenheimers behind them. The Pappenheim cavalry held the right flank with the Witzboldfeld and Alt-Braunbar cavalry behind them.

Nieder-Wahldorf was the first point to feel the pressure, von Elche's brigade stood for several volleys from the Vandenburg grenadiers before being forced from the village. They where replaced by Reichsmarshall's Musketeers before the Vandenburgers could push forward.

View from Reichsarmee right of Vandenburg attack

Upon the Reichsarmee right the Huhnerland cavalry attacked the oncoming Vandenburgers charging down the hill into the oncoming Vandenburgers, the Elector Karl Friedrich Cuirassiers led by Prince Otto von Dachsbracke fell upon a cuirassier brigade and drove them from the field (he rolled a 1+7=8, I rolled a 6+7+3 for valour=16 unit destroyed!).

The Vandenburg cavalry soon suffered the loss of another brigade of cuirassiers upon that flank and only the timely intervention of the Vandenburg infantry stopped the destruction of a third brigade as the fell upon the flank of the Huhnelund dragoons and dispersing them with devastating volley of fire.

Pz Lothar's and von Rabe's brigades holding the line

In the centre the Vandenburgers rapidly destroyed the Witzboldfeld and Alt-Braunbar infantry of the first line leaving the Pappenheimers to hold the line. The ReichsMarshall's brigade doggedly held out in Nieder-Wahldorf as the Vandenburgers swept around the town.

Pappenheim Guards hold the left against the Vandenburg attack

Upon the Reichsarmee's right a swirling cavalry melee took place as both sides where relatively even in the end though the Vandenburgers broke one of the Pappenheim cuirassier brigades which would prove to much for the valiant Reichsarmee. The army broke shortly before nightfall however the large numbers of dragoons held off the Vandenburgers whilst the remainder of the army retreated before them.

Army of Observation2 Brigades of CuirassiersThough the Reichsarmee had lost, the Erbprinz took some consolation at the destruction of two of the Vandenburg cuirassier brigades. He fell back to rejoin the Huhnerlund force and await another round against King Oskar the great.

Graf Uwe von Krupp commands the cavalry of Witzboldfeld and Alt-Braunbar in the field, he served with the Witzboldfeld Dragoons during the War of Enteburg Succession which brought him to the eye of the previous Elector Spiritual.

He comes from a noble Enteburg family whith lands in Munchausen-Spurhund-Jungen and Witzboldfeld. The von Krupp's have held various position of power within the courts of both realms indeed Graf Uwe's grandfather served as the Chancellor or Enteburg in his time.

He is seen here with his aide Captain Alessio di Cipolla, an officer of the Archbishops Garde du Corps of Italican descent and nephew of the Conti di Cipolla the Enteburg Inspector General of Cavalry. Also with his hound Odin.

(M&R stats +2, Valourous)

Figures by Front RankPainted by the Cardinals Painting Service.

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Graf Franz von Reindle

Graf Franz von Reindle commander of the Witzboldfeld infantry column and senior officer of the Elector Spirituals army. He is seen here with two of his aides Colonel Kreutzer on the right and Major von Tripp on the left, both of whom are relatives of Graf Reindle. The Graf was promoted to his senior position mostly based on his family connections to the previous Elector Spiritual.

He has little real military experience and he is notorious for the large size of his baggage train when on campaign. Unfortunately he and Graf von Krupp dislike each other intensely Graf Reindle views the younger more energetic officer as an upstart trouble maker, whilst Graf Krupp sees Graf Reindle as an old fool paast his time.

(M&R stats -2)

Figures by Crusader MiniaturesPainted by the Cardinals Painting Service.

The Elector Spiritual's bodyguard has remained in Witzboldfeld and is not currently serving with the Reichsarmee. They have recently been brought up to full regimental size and as yet are to see service in the field.

This regiment is led by men of noble birth from through out the empire as well as accepting several Italicans and a single Skanderberger, Captain Graf Ferdinand von Forelle. Their current commander is Colonel Graf von Seidenberg originally from Katerheim he has only recently taken command of the regiment and is doing his utmost to bring it to readiness. However many of the younger officers seem to treat the regiment more as a social club than a military unit.

Figures by Front Rank
Flags by David of Not by Appointment
Painted by the Cardinals Painting Service.

Graf von Krupp's dragoons were raised for service during the War of Enteburg Succession, they clashed frequently with the forces of Munchausen along the Munchausen-Spurhund-Jungen border with Witzboldfeld. It was here that a young Graf von Krupp made his mark within the Witzboldfeld military which has helped him to his current position.

This regiment is commanded in the field by Lieutenant Colonel Graf Carlos von Vogel an officer of Stahldorf descent who came to the Elector Spiritual's service some 10 years ago. Graf von Vogel is a student of the classics and maintains a close friendship with the Duke of Pappenheim and the two correspond frequently.

Figures by Front Rank
Flags by David of Not by Appointment
Painted by the Cardinals Painting Service.

Margrave Erich maintains a brigade of dragoons for Imperial service the senior unit of which is Major General Otto von Graubarbar's Dragoons. Raised for service during the war of Alban Succession they served alongside the forces of Melchester as auxiliaries taking part in the battles of Spenheim, Ouhesharde and the storming of the Schollenburg.

Currently they are serving under the command of Graf von Krupp of Witzboldfeld alongside von Krupp's Dragoons. They have seen recent service against the Ikeaonians at the battle of Grosser Feuerbach where they captured a battery of Ikeaonian artillery and the forces of Vandenburg-Brussia at the battle of Nieder-Wahldorf.

Figures by Front Rank
Flags by David of Not by Appointment
Painted by Cardinal's Painting Service